Slave Boy: Jackson


Figure 1.--Little is known about this boy. We do know is name was Jackson. He appears to be a boy who ran away from his master. Based upon his looks, he is likely a slave master's son. Many images of pre-War photographs of slaves shows them better dressed in simle home-spun garments. We do not yet know how representative these images are. Click on this image to see Jackson after he joined the Federal Army. Unfortunately we know nothing more of his life.

Little is known about this boy. We do know is name was Jackson. He appears to be about 12-13 years old and to have just run away from his master. Based upon his looks, he is likely a slave master's son. Many images of pre-War photographs of slaves shows them better dressed in simle home-spun garments. We do not yet know how representative these images are. We do know, however, that Jackson enlisted in the 79th U.S. Colored Troops in Louisiana. The Civil War is an apauling event in American history. The carnage involved was unprecedented. In the end the War meant freedom for boys like Jackson and in this case Jackson played a role in gaining his own freedom.

Provinance

We know nothing about the provinance of this amazing impage. We know nothing about who had the portrait taken. I think it is clear from the context that it was taken by someone who wanted to make a statement about slavery. I di not think a slave master would have wanted his slaves photographed, especially not dressed like in rags. This is especially true because the slave master was probably this boy's father. Nor do I think an escaped slave if he had some money would have wanted to spend money on a photographic portrait before he bought some clothes. Thus it seems more likely that the Federal authorities or this boy's comrads in the Federal Army wanted his picture taken to document what he looked like before enlisting. Thus we can not be sure this is how he was actually dressed when he arrived at the Federal lines. It is, however, quite possible, especially if he had to travel some distance after he ran away.

The Boy

Little is known about this boy. We do know is name was Jackson. He looks to be about 12-13 years old. We know virtually nothing more about him. Slaves often took their owner's name, so this may have been the slave mater's name. He appears to be a boy who ran away from his master. Based upon his looks, he is likely a slave master's son. Some slave owners took special care of their slave children. Sometimes they were sent north. Often they were given jobs as house servants. Such genteel care was not always the case. Some slave masters even sold their own children. Often wives did not like evidence of their husband's infidelity so close at hand. Unfortunately we know nothing about Jackson's experience as a slave or just why he ran away. Given the way this boy was dressed, it does not look like he was being very well vared for, even though his slave master was probably his father.

Clothing

Many images of pre-War photographs of slaves shows them better dressed in simple home-spun garments. We do not yet know how representative these images are. As we say, we do not know just why Jackson was dressed like this. It is rare to see mulatto children to be so pprly dressed.

Chronology

After the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation, the Federal Government began enlisting large numbers of blacks, both freedmen and former slaves. Thus this portrait would have been taken in 1963-65. As New Orleans was occupied by the Federals fairly early in the War, we suspect that 1963 is the most likely date.

Drummer Boy

Jackson enlisted in the 79th U.S. Colored Troops in Louisiana where he served as a drummer boy. Unfortunately we know nothing bout his service or became of him after the War.

An Eagle on His Buttons

In looking at this portrait and then the accompanying portrait of Jackson in his Federal uniform, the words of Frederick Douglas come to mind. "Let the black man get upon his person the brass letters U.S.; let him get an eagle on his buttons and a musket on his shoulder, and bullets in his pocket, and there is no power on earth that can deny that he has earned the right to citizenship. " [Douglas]

Sources

Douglas, Federick. (July 6, 1863)







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Created: 2:38 AM 8/23/2005
Last updated: 1:26 AM 6/14/2010